First a note: I purposely did not use #MeToo in the caption as that would be co-opting an important movement. The Me Too here is in reference to K's drinking and sexual exploit claims in his yearbook. (Hopefully, no one here is naive enough to believe the explanations K gave at the "hearing." These are well-known types of bragging.)

The "Hearing"

I missed some of the opening statement by Dr. Ford but not much and watched the entire proceeding.

Despite the R's claim that BOTH Dr. Ford and K would be questioned by the prosecutor, that is not what happened. Dr. Ford was questioned by the sexual assault prosecutor in five-minute increments which means there was no continuity. The prosecutor's line of questioning was suspect in a number of places. The Democrats were then given five minutes each between the prosecutor's questions. Dr Ford held up very well, was consistent and believable.

During the breaks, the C-Span host took calls from people on different phones lines labeled Democrat, Republican or Independent. One of the first calls was from a Republican man (this was in the first break, so very early on) stating that Dr. Ford was lying and if he could take her out to the woodshed, he would prove it.

The majority of the calls, however, were heart-breaking stories of sexual abuse and rape from women across the political spectrum.

During the break Sen Cornyn (R) tweeted about Ford that there was "No reason to find her not credible" and Orrin Hatch (R) tweeted that Ford was an "attractive person" and in a hallway interview said she is "pleasing" when asked what he meant by "attractive."

Other than about 10 minutes of questions from the prosecutor, the rest of K's "questioning" was done by the committee. Other than the opening statement, the rest of his testimony was hedging, evasive and non-committal.

Before his testimony began, K gave his opening statement that basically consisted of angry and combative accusations against the Democrats. He also took a pot shot at the media.

K to the Democrats in his opening statement:

** "You have replaced Advise and Consent with Search and Destroy."
** the confirmation hearings were a "good old-fashioned attempt at 'Borking'"
** "This whole two-week effort has been a calculated and orchestrated political hit fueled with apparent pent-up anger about President Trump and the 2016 election, fear that has been unfairly stoked about my judicial record, revenge on behalf of the Clintons, and millions of dollars in money from outside left-wing opposition groups."

The one thing he did get right: "This confirmation process has become a national disgrace."

Kavanaugh (in opening statement) "When this allegation arose, I welcomed any kind of investigation: Senate, FBI or otherwise." About 45 seconds later: "I know that any kind of investigation, Senate, FBI, Montgomery Police whatever will clear me." Yet he has never asked for an FBI investigation and when asked by Democrats if he would request one now, he evaded the question or refused to answer.

K stated many times that the letters from Judge and others refuted (def: to prove to be false) Ford's testimony. Yet the statements he was referring to were "I do not remember." Judge's attorney sent a letter to Grassley and Feinstein stating "In fact, I have no memory of this alleged incident. Brett Kavanaugh and I were friends in high school but I do not recall the party described in Dr. Ford's letter." The letter was signed by the attorney, not Judge.

This is where my impartial account ends becasue I have no way to describe the following except from a personal viewpoint.

Much of K's testimony was melodramatic with him choking back tears and having trouble continuing with his very angry speech. I have never been able to cry with no tears or without my eyes turning red, but he managed. He did not cry when he said how hard this has been on his family or when he stated that his wife had received violent emails. His first resort to tears was during a mention of one of his daughters saying that they should "pray for the woman." Shortly after, the extreme emotionalism took over as he discussed his 1982 calendar and yearbook and for about half an hour thereafter (none of this part touched on his family, just his defense). Otherwise during his statement, he said very little that was new. It was pretty much the Fox interview with emotion.

The overall "hearing" mostly involved the Republicans attacking the Democrats with Lindsay Graham giving a rousing speech about how put upon K was (no rebel yell at the end of it though); many comments about Feinstein not releasing the letter earlier (though she did answer that one satisfactorily); and Republican grandstanding, mostly about Democrat obstructionism. There were a lot of calls for and asking K to call for an FBI investigation on the part of the Democrats and a lot of incorrect statements from the Republicans as to the purpose of an FBI investigation (they are to provide facts, not conclusions...listening Comey?)

The Republicans and K deserve a standing ovation for this bit of theater. But tragedies rarely get the attention they need.

Currently the Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote tomorrow, Friday, about 9:30 a.m. to send the nomination to the full Senate (Although there is a Republican conference tonight so they can verify they have the votes.)

I would not suggest letting your children watch this episode of Democracy: The Twilight Years. Instead give them a copy of 1984 so they can be prepared.

Edit: As always, my graphics are available to share.